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5,500 fans greet York Revolution at opener

EYANA ADAH MCMILLAN 505-5438/@yorkdispatch

Posted:
04/24/2014 11:02:50 PM EDT

Updated:
04/25/2014 11:30:30 AM EDT

BIL BOWDEN VIDEO

Revs pitcher Anthony Lerew of Dillsburg, left, and Chad Tracy run through a "high-five tunnel" of fans as the Revs take the field during York Revolution Opening Day ceremonies at Santander Stadium Thursday. The Revs won, 6-1. (Bill Kalina - bkalina@yorkdispatch.com)

Jeff Pizzola and Cecilia Shute came to downtown York with plans to go to dinner.

"But we saw there was a baseball game, so we changed our plans and came to the game," said Pizzola, 33, of Newberry Township.

The couple were among about 5,500 people who showed up for the York Revolution's first home game Thursday at Santander Stadium in York City.

The Revs won 6-1 in their season opener against the Camden Riversharks from New Jersey.

Impressed: Pizzola and Shute, 24, of Mechanicsburg, said this was their first time watching a Revs game. They both said they're impressed by the stadium's features and children's park activities.

"It's great that they have a lot of things for the kids," Shute said. "This is pretty cool."

Bill Ehrman, 66, of Jacobus, said he's excited about the Revs' new season and hopes the team wins a third Atlantic League championship

"I'm here to enjoy the season, I'm not here to judge their play," said Ehrman, a season ticket holder. "I have no favorite players. I would like to see them win the championship and fill the seats."

Like Ehrman, Steve Burk, 47, of West Manchester Township, said he wants the Revs to bring home a championship as they did in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

"(The Revs) need to keep bringing in young players," Burk said. "That's what drives you to the championship. It's good to have veterans on the team, but the young players are going to make it a lot better. And I like to see a little more stealing. It keeps the offense going."

"Good gig": Bruce Lightner can't stay away from Revs games even on his day off as a stadium usher. Lightner did not have to work Thursday, but he still came out to see the season opener.

"(I) don't miss too many ballgames," said Lightner, 67, of North Codorus Township. "I think we can win (a championship) this year. We'll have to see how the pitching holds up, but I believe the defense is going to be there."

Lightner said that ushering is hard work, as it requires assisting game attendees in finding seats, helping clean up trash and wiping down stadium seats before the games.

"This is my third year being an usher," he said. "I meet a lot of people. I like seeing the fans enjoy the game. It's a good gig."